Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Price: I bought this on Babysteals(yet again!) and and paid about $30 . . . this was a sale price though, and most prices I've found online currently are more in the $40-$50 range.

Fit: This top is long and loose . . . for sure long enough to cover the belly and back while nursing, bending, reaching, etc. It is actually long enough to be worn during pregnancy, if you so desire, which is nice but gives the unfortunate appearance of, you know, being MATERNITY clothing. I would prefer if this shirt were an inch or two shorter, however, if leggings and tunics are a go-to look for you, you'll likely approve of the extra length. The top consists of a sweetheart neckline shaped panel that fits over the breasts. It covered mine, but just barely. If you're especially large breasted this might not be the top for you.

Ease of Access: Since there is no built in bra, you must unclasp your nursing bra then arrange the shirt so that the openings are positioned over your nipples. Not too difficult, with a bit of practice.

Ease of nursing with discretion: The most discreet top I've reviewed so far. The openings are quite small (the stretch to the fabric makes them easy to use despite their size) and, with Rhys latched on, I had maybe a centimeter of skin showing around his mouth, which his head easily covered. This top is a winner if your primary concern is discretion.

Recommended?: Depends on what you want out of a nursing top. If you're looking for something especially flattering on your postpartum body, this probably isn't it. If you're shy about nursing in public and want something that allows you to nurse with minimal exposure, this may be the nursing top for you.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Disclaimer regarding supply: True low milk supply is rare. Perceived low milk supply, however, is one of the leading reasons women cite for giving up breastfeeding.

Genuine low milk supply is often the result of a medical condition: hypoplastic tubular breasts, sometimes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, sometimes in women who have had breast surgery, and sometimes in women with thyroid disorders.

If you don't fall into one of these categories, it is worth considering whether your milk supply issues might be either perceived, or real but fixable!In this series on milk supply, I'm going to offer tips for moms whose supply issues are in the "real but fixable" category.

______________________

The release of milk, called "let-down", is facilitated by a complex cocktail of hormones that a mom's body releases in response to her baby's smell, the touch of her baby's skin, seeing her baby . . . all of her senses working in conjunction with each other. It is safe to assume that, for most moms, a breast pump doesn't elicit the same lovey-dovey reaction. The hormonal response difference between what one can expect during the nursing experience and what one can expect during a pumping experience is partial explanation for the difference between the amount of milk a baby probably takes during a nursing session and how much milk a mom may yield during a pumping session.

As a new mom, I remember being told "Your pump volume is a poor indicator of your milk supply. Your baby probably takes more at the breast" and thinking "BULLLLLLLLLLLLLLSHIT!!!" (I'm very ladylike in my head, as you can see.) Now, after my training and having learned, in detail, how my body makes milk and why, I know that's actually true. I don't expect moms to take my word for it . . . I know as a new mom I wouldn't have . . . but you can, is all I'm saying!

So, while pumping, how can you "trick" your body into letting down, if not the same amount of milk it would while nursing, at least more than you've been getting? Lots of ways! Any of the tips in my "Supply Tips" series will help, as will anything you can do to trick your senses into thinking your baby is nearby: photos, holding last night's jammies, watching videos, even just daydreaming about your baby.

Because pumping mamas typically feel the pressure to produce X number of ounces each day, pumping can be a pretty stressful experience. Stress (you guessed it) inhibits let-down. One way to reduce stress while pumping is to distract yourself. You know the expression "A watched pot never boils?" Well, watched milk collection bottles never fill. Some tactics that I've used to help me stop watching the bottles are:

* Wearing a nursing cover while pumping

* Using a hands-free nursing bra and doing other activities, like housework or cooking, while pumping

Friday, March 18, 2011

Price: I bought this on Babysteals(again!) and (again!) don't remember what I paid. It was probably close to the $20.40 that it is going for now on Glamourmom's site through their "private sales" section (not really private at all, anyone can sign up!)

Fit: Honestly? I'm not a fan of the fit of this tank. Momming involves all sorts of bending over, squatting down, leaning, and other behaviors that are likely to cause a shirt to ride up or result in mom flashing her backside. And most new moms wouldn't describe their tummy as their favorite feature. Both of these issues call for a bit of extra length in a shirt, to cover the bum and belly respectively. I think this Glamourmom tank falls short, literally. Go check out my review of the longer Target nursing tank (photographed in the same color even!) and see what you think. I find the Target tank to be much more flattering.

Fabric: All of Glamourmom's tops come in a heavy-weight, stretch jersey. And, this is practically sacrilege if you hang around high end nursing boutiques, but you know what? I don't like the heavy weight fabric. It is high quality, no doubt, but it makes me feel kind of sausage-y. I prefer a lighter weight fabric with more give (like the fabric used in the Target brand nursing tanks).

Aesthetics: Too short, not entirely flattering. The integrated bra, however, has a plunge/v-neck shape, which I like.

Ease of Access: The clasps on this top unclasp fairly easily with one hand, but it takes a bit of practice to learn to refasten them one handed. They aren't as easy to unclasp as the hook style fasteners on the Target brand tanks.

Ease of nursing with discretion: The actual nursing openings are quite small, so the integrated bra covers a good deal of the top of the breast.

Recommended?: Not really. I find the (cheaper) Target nursing tanks to be more comfortable, more flattering and easier to nurse in. It seems Glamourmom is phasing this tank style out, as it is listed on their sale site but not their regular site. The new tanks listed on the main site ARE all longer, so I think Glamourmom has acknowledged that fit issue. I also don't like the clasps. I find hook style clasps to be easier to use (and more secure . . . these clasps have popped open on me once or twice).

__________________________________________________________I was not paid to review or endorse this product.

Monday, March 14, 2011

I received an email from Babycenter this morning directing me to this shameless bit of propaganda for the formula industry: a list of seventeen foods to avoid while breastfeeding, sponsored (surprise!) by a formula manufacturer and featuring not one but TWO formula ads per page.

Seventeen! My, that's a long list. I'll bet you never knew breastfeeding was so restrictive for mothers.

That's because it isn't.

And it makes me REALLY angry to see formula companies peddling bad information in an effort to convince mothers that breastfeeding is hard, or restrictive, or inconvenient.

Let's break the list down, shall we?

Coffee: I know of only one study that has reviewed the relationship between mom's caffeine intake and baby's behavior. That study suggests that mom limit her caffeine intake to 500mg per day. That translates to 5 cups of regular coffee, 2 cups of Starbucks coffee, 5 bottles of Starbucks Frappuccino, 7 Starbucks lattes or 11 cans of Diet Coke. In other words, lactating mothers shouldn't ingest more caffeine than any other sane person might.

Chocolate: There are about 30mg of caffeine in a chocolate bar. So you can have 16 1/2 before you've got to worry about your caffeine limits. Good luck getting through that many without barfing.

Citrus: The vast majority of moms find that they can drink orange juice to their heart's content without causing any tummy distress for their babies. This one falls into the category of "if it seems to affect your own personal baby, avoid it". There is, however, no scientific evidence that citrus fruits are problematic for breastfeeding babies.

Broccoli: Milk is synthesized from blood. Something must be embodied in your blood in order to express itself in your milk. The extra fiber in broccoli is what causes gas. Fiber that exists in your digestive tract, not in your blood. It is simply impossible that broccoli would be to blame for a gassy baby.

Alcohol: Big fat "duh": You shouldn't binge drink while breastfeeding. It is generally agreed, however, that one drink here or there, especially when timed to be consumed 2-3 hours before baby's next feeding, is of little consequence.

Garlic: This one brought on the LOLZ! The one study I know of regarding garlic and breastfeeding indicated that infants sucked longer and took more milk after mom had eaten garlic. Nice try, Similac.

Peanuts, Wheat, Corn, Shellfish, Eggs: All foods that are worth avoiding if you (duh) or your baby's father have a history of allergies to them. Otherwise? Eat up!

Dairy and Soy: If your baby is excessively gassy and seems to be experiencing tummy pain, and IF you think that gassiness is linked to your diet (rather than to the myriad of other reasons a baby might be gassy), then it is likely the culprit in your diet is either dairy or soy, and it is worth a try to eliminate those two things and see if baby doesn't improve. I find it hilarious that Similac mentioned this without bothering to mention that their (indeed, all) formulas are all either dairy or soy based, both of which are far harder on baby's tummy than breastmilk in the best of times, let alone in instances of diary or soy intolerance. If baby has a dairy or soy allergy, it is ESPECIALLY important that baby be breastfed!

Fish: While it would be prudent for nursing mothers to avoid certain types of fish which are high in mercury (a good list is here), it is important to note that in the studies that have been done, breastfed infants, even those whose mothers consumed significant quantities of mercury, scored better on developmental tests than formula fed babies. Is mercury a good thing in breastmilk? No. But is mercury tainted breastmilk still better for infants than formula? Yep.

Peppermint and Parsley: These are herbs known to reduce milk supply in therapeutic doses. It is unlikely that consuming the amounts typically used in cooking would cause a decrease in milk supply. However, if a mother was trying to maximize her supply, she might want to avoid these as well as a few others, listed here. Avoiding peppermint and parsley certainly isn't mandatory, though.

Breastfeeding isn't rocket science. Moms should use common sense with regards to alcohol, caffeine and environmental contaminants. In the event baby seems fussy after mom eats a certain food, by all means she can try avoiding that food (which may or may not help!). To imply, however, that there is a set in stone list of things (SEVENTEEN THINGS!!!) that nursing mothers mustn't eat is just complete fallacy. For shame, Similac.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Price: I bought this on Babystealsand honestly don't remember what I paid. It was probably close to the $30.80 that it is going for now on Glamourmom's site through their "private sales" section (not really private at all, anyone can sign up!)

Fit: This shirt is basically a nursing tank with sleeves tacked on, which sounds positively genius. In reality, however, the fit leaves something to be desired, especially in the shoulder and underarm area. It puckers a bit under the arms and has two small gape-y patches at the shoulders, by the clasps. I could go for an extra inch or two of length as well. The shirt is serviceable, don't get me wrong, but it isn't "positively genius" the way I wanted it to be. Overall I feel the top runs a bit big and the bra runs a bit small, but that may just be a function of my own personal body type.

Fabric: All of Glamourmom's tops come in a heavy-weight, stretch jersey.

Aesthetics: From a distance of more than a foot or two, this looks like a basic long-sleeved, scoop-necked top. Glamourmom's built in nursing bras have a plunge/v-neck shape so there is no "boob-thong" a la Target's nursing tank.

Ease of Access: The clasps on this top unclasp fairly easily with one hand, but it takes a bit of practice to learn to refasten them one handed.

Ease of nursing with discretion: The actual nursing openings are quite small, so the integrated bra covers a good deal of the top of the breast.

Recommended?: Probably. If you live in a climate where tank tops just won't get much use, this is a great alternative option. As always, be careful about the fit of the built in bra.__________________________________________________________I was not paid to review or endorse this product.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

When your baby is a newborn, using a nursing cover is a great way to "break yourself in" to nursing in public. Most tiny babies don't object to having a piece of fabric tossed over their heads, and the stiff neckline of a nursing cover makes it easy for mom to see baby, and for baby to see mom.

When your baby is a bit older, a nursing cover can be used in order to minimize distractions and help baby focus on nursing when you're out and about in an exciting new environment. On the other hand, the cover itself might seem exciting and new to baby, and become its own distraction.

It is very much possible to learn to nurse discreetly without a cover. In fact, a nursing cover is essentially a giant billboard shouting "I AM BREASTFEEDING RIGHT NOW!!!", which isn't really very discreet. I'm half inclined to object to the use of nursing covers AT ALL because of this paradox. Ultimately, though, whatever makes YOU feel comfortable nursing in public is what you should be doing or using. Note that I said whatever makes YOU, the nursing mom, comfortable. This may or may not be the same thing that makes others comfortable. They'll live.

In my personal experience, the one instance in which I find my nursing cover to still be useful is while I'm nursing Rhys, especially nursing a tired Rhys, in his carrier. The cover isn't so much "over" his head in this position as it is "around" his head, which isn't as objectionable to him. It also gives the illusion that I'm walking around with a "sleeping" baby instead of with a "BREASTFEEDING!!!" baby.

I own two covers by Udder Covers which have served me well over these last ten months. Both were purchased using free cover discount codes. Use one of the following codes (sourced via a simple Google search) and you'll pay only $9.95 in "shipping and handling" for your cover (which is still a heck of a lot less than the $40+ covers go for in boutiques): onefree, family2010, babies, cousin2, parenthood (etc., etc. . . . the list goes on.)

Nursing with a cover while shopping at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

* I wear a medium in these tanks. The tank is a bit loose and not clingy around the waist, which I like.

* It is important to differentiate between the "regular" style of this tank and the "long" style. I find the "regular" style to be a bit too short and much clingier. It is easy to differentiate online, but the tags in store don't make the distinction clear. You might want to try one on if buying in store.

* In the early days, back when I was a 34 F (I KNOW!), the built in bra of these tanks didn't fit very well. Beginning at about 7 months postpartum, the bra and the tank both fit well. If your breasts are especially large in comparison to the rest of your frame, you might be better off with your own nursing bra topped by a stretchy tank that can be pulled aside for nursing access (these worked very well for me during the first few months), or with a product like the Undercover Mama.

Fabric: Great medium weight, stretchy jersey. These tanks have held up especially well with weekly washings.

Aesthetics: Flattering, basic tank top. Layers well with cardigans, jackets, or under t-shirts. My only aesthetic complaint is that the under sling looks a bit like a boob thong and I have to keep my eye on it to make sure the top, scoop neck layer is pulled up.

Ease of Access: Easy, one handed clasps. I also wear these tanks under V or scoop necks, which gives me the option of push-aside nursing access (handy when I've got Rhys in a baby carrier) or lift from the waist access (which can be more discreet, when I want to be discreet).

Ease of nursing with discretion: The full sling style offers a bit of coverage to the top of the breast while nursing. It is an inch of fabric, at most, but enough to give the illusion that the top of the breast is covered.

Recommended?: Yes, so long as you're careful about the fit of the built in bra.__________________________________________________________I was not paid to review or endorse this product.

Disclaimer regarding supply: True low milk supply is rare. Perceived low milk supply, however, is one of the leading reasons women cite for giving up breastfeeding.

Genuine low milk supply is often the result of a medical condition: hypoplastic tubular breasts, sometimes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, sometimes in women who have had breast surgery, and sometimes in women with thyroid disorders. If you don't fall into one of these categories, it is worth considering whether your milk supply issues might be either perceived, or real but fixable!In this series on milk supply, I'm going to offer tips for moms whose supply issues are in the "real but fixable" category.

___________________________

There are a number of herbs historically used to increase milk supply, and anecdotal evidence to back up their efficacy. It is unfortunate that there have been few, if any, clinical studies done to clarify whether these herbalgalactogogues actually work. However, fortunately, most of the herbs said to increase milk supply fall into the category of medications that are "Generally Regarded as Safe" for breastfeeding mothers. That means you can feel confident testing them out on your own personal body and seeing if they have an effect on your own personal milk supply.

The most commonly recommended herb for low milk supply is Fenugreek. Fenugreek can be obtained from health food stores, breastfeeding and baby boutiques, and online. Dosing instructions and number of milligrams per capsule vary from brand to brand, however a universal bit of advice is to start with a lower than recommended dosage and ramp up if and until an increase in milk supply is noticed. Once milk supply has increased and stayed at a higher level for a few days, one can try weaning off of the Fenugreek. In most instances, milk supply will remain at the new, higher volume level. If not, there are no risks associated with long term use of Fenugreek.

A few warnings: Fenugreek is a member of the peanut and pea family and, as such, if you have a history of peanut allergies it is best avoided. Fenugreek can make your (and your baby's) sweat and urine smell like maple syrup. Fenugreek is, in fact, an ingredient in many artificial syrups. There is a rare metabolic disorder called "Maple Syrup Urine Disease" (I could not make this stuff up) and it is important to make sure your Fenugreek use is not mistaken for this disease. Fenugreek also has an effect on blood sugar, so diabetics should avoid its use. As always, check with your baby's pediatrician and with your own doctor or OB before beginning any herbal remedy.

As noted above, there are few if any studies done on the effectiveness of herbal galactogogues. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, however, has published a thorough and helpful protocol for the use of galactogogues, which contains information on and recommendations for the use of Fenugreek.

It is worth noting that any measures to increase milk supply will be most effective if combined with an increase in nursing and/or pumping. Getting the milk out is the key to teaching your body to make more.